To Abaigail Adams from John Adams, July, 3, 1776.
"The
second of July, 1776, "It ought to be Solemnized with
Pomp and
Parade with Shews,
Games, Sports,
Guns,
Bells, Bonfires and
Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
Adams started the letter, "Had a Declaration of Independency been made seven Months ago, it would have been attended with many great and glorious Effects . . . We
might before this Hour, have formed Alliances with foreign States. We should have mastered Quebec and been in Possession of Canada ....
"You will perhaps wonder, how such a Declaration would have influenced our Affairs, in Canadabut if I could write with Freedom I could easily convince you, that it would, and explain to you the manner how. -- Many Gentlemen in high Stations and of great Influence have been duped, by the ministerial Bubble of Commissioners to treat .... And in real, sincere Expectation of this effort Event, which they so fondly wished, they have been slow and languid, in promoting Measures for the Reduction of that Province." He goes to till the "parade with shews". "You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these
States."
'Epilogue: Securing the Republic'
CHAPTER 18 | Document 17
John Adams, Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States
1787 Works 6:130--31, 206--8
"The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than that to hang a robber, or kill a flea. But killing one tyrant only makes way for a worse, unless the people have sense, spirit, and honesty enough to establish and support a constitution guarded at all points against tyranny; against the tyranny of the one, the few, and the many. Let it be the study, therefore, of lawgivers and philosophers, to enlighten the people's understandings and improve their morals, by good and general education; to enable them to comprehend the scheme of government, and to know upon what points their liberties depend; to dissipate those vulgar prejudices and popular superstitions that oppose themselves to good government; and to teach them that obedience to the laws is as indispensable in them as in lords and
kings."